The Hazards of a
Photo Society Photographer...

This page is dedicated to Wes Skiles who died doing the work he loved. Sadie Quarrier, senior photo editor, National Geographic Magazine says:   “I was lucky enough to work with Wes as his photo editor on (his) “Bahamas Blue Holes” story for NGM. He was deeply passionate about diving, exploring, photographing and protecting the waterways… Wes was big-hearted and humble yet extremely driven. He was doggedly determined to produce the best possible article on these caves he called home. He dared to dream big, and no budget or contract would stop him from going after a shot he felt we needed, even if it was on his own dime…”

There have been other deaths over the years and many serious injuries. The posts below are recent survey responses from 45 photographers about some of the hazards encountered while on assignment for the National Geographic Society. The numbers represent individual incidents.

Reality Check

  • Amoebic Dysentery

    20
  • Giardia

    8
  • Seat Belt Releases with Helicopter Tipped Over Volcano

    2
  • Hypothermia

    9
  • Flesh Eating Parasites

    1
  • Various Parasites

    16
  • Frostbite (23 for one photographer)

    29
  • Temporary Blindness

    2
  • Broken Tail Bone

    1
  • Trips into Chernobyl Reactor

    3
  • Threatened / Detained / Abducted

    21
  • Random Assault

    6
  • Broken Ribs

    6
  • Out of Air Diving Under Oil Rig

    1
  • Viper in Camera Bag

    1
  • Loa-Loa Worm in Eye

    1
  • Punched in Face

    1
  • Fall Into Crevasse

    2
  • Blinded by Wasps

    1
  • Robbed

    13
  • Held at Gunpoint

    2
  • Severe Dehydration

    19
  • Stoned by Religious Group

    2
  • Meningitis

    1
  • Wound Infection

    30
  • Falls

    12
  • Held at Knifepoint

    1
  • Diagnosed PTSD

    1
  • Land on Rock Ledge After 90 Foot Fall

    1
  • Severe Insect Problems

    12
  • Acid Dripping Caves

    1
  • Paraglider Crash Landing on Sea Ice

    1
  • Groped

    9
  • Robbed

    5
  • Extreme Toxins

    3
  • Beaten

    3
  • Paraglider Crash

    21
  • Tear Gassed

    4
  • Spitting Cobra Attacks

    1
  • Venomous Bites

    9
  • Assorted Animal Attacks

    8
  • Dengue Fever

    1
  • Strongyloide Invasion

    1
  • Severe Diarrhea

    90
  • Lost on Arctic Ice

    1
  • Groped

    2
  • Out of Air Diving Under Sea Ice

    1
  • Penis Fish

    1
  • Malaria

    5
  • Chased by Wild Elephant

    3
  • Broken Bones

    4
  • Assault by Florida panther. 2 photographers, 2 assignments, same panther.

    2
  • Lost in Andes

    2
  • Bit by Ticks (in my penis)

    1
  • Broken Nose

    2
  • Lost at Sea

    1
  • Arrest or House Arrest

    33
  • Hunted with Bows and Arrows

    1
  • Car or Bus Crash

    7
  • Chased by Crocodile

    1
  • Attack by 9,000 pound Elephant Seal

    1
  • Streaming Blood While Hanging from Harness at 1500 feet

    1
  • Buried in Avalanche

    2
  • Hotel Surrounded by Rebels

    1
  • Burns

    4
  • Paraglider Crash Landing in Ocean

    1
  • Paraglider Crash Landing in Tree

    1
  • Run Checkpoint

    13
  • Rope Burn

    10
  • Plane or Helicopter Crash

    5
  • Teargassed

    2
  • Stabbed

    1
  • Scaffolding Collapse

    1
  • Dislocations

    7
  • Imprisoned

    3